Something else I like about the taper.

Since my legs feel fresher from the reduction in mileage, I can run faster. Since my workouts are not as long, I can run faster. Since I survived the summer and it's so much cooler, I can run faster.

Seeing a pattern here.

I didn't run faster on Monday, because I like to go slow on Monday. But I did run in new shoes.

My Mizuno Inspire9s were getting a little long in the tooth and I never really liked them. Too much heel drop and too much control. I always felt they were the cause of my knee issues lately - not enough to require a change, but I didn't like it. Now in full taper mode, I need to replace them ASAP so the new ones can get settled in before NYCM.

I've also been a little disappointed in my LRS's shoe selection. Anyway, this time (Saturday) I called to see if they had the current update my previous shoe, the Asics Neo33 2. I had first the Blur33, then the Neo33. When I went to get the Neo33 2, they were all out for clearance at the Ann Arbor art fair, so I ended up with the Inspires. Back to the phone call - nothing, but maybe at another location. Half hour later, they call me with news that there's a pair of Neo33s in Ann Arbor. Gray and black. They can have them in Monday. Sold.

Monday rolls around, and I stop on my way home from work to pick them up. I tell the guy my name and the shoes that he has waiting for me. He goes into the back room for a couple of hours and returns empty handed. WTH? Recheck my name, recheck the shoes, back into the stockroom for another half a day. Nothing. He asks the another guy at the counter, who walks back and comes out 4 seconds later with the box. Dude!

At any rate, I take a few packs of Hammer Gel and the shoes (20% discount since they're on clearance - score!), drive home and take those orange footlights out for a 4 mile spin.

They feel like the old 33s, which I like. But, man! that color is crazy bright. I've never in my life paid any visual attention to my shoes while running. These took a conscious effort to not watch them flip in and out of my lower periferal vision. I'm sure I'll get used to them eventually.

Tempo Tuesday was a good test for them (and me). The distance was down to 6 miles w/ 4 fast. Last week we went 6 fast (7:30 pace). Since it was two miles less, it seemed appropriate to lower that number a few ticks. It was only four miles, right? I had to stop at the traffic light after the first and the third miles, so it was more like 1-2-1 interval than a tempo, but still a good, hard run. 7:20, 6:53, 7:15, 7:10.

Love the new bright shoes. I remember the first time I took my first pair of white shoes out for a dusk spin-remember that flashing in my peripheral vision. And yes, I remember when white shoes were your go-fast shoes, then they started making trainers in white, and they were so cool!

The Loop is an active community of bloggers. "Loopsters" share their running experiences and give each other tons of encouragement. To get involved, post a comment on someone's blog or click the "Create New Post" button to start a blog of your own.